ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Authorities in Florida say the gunman who shot and killed a singer who rose to fame after appearing on NBC’s “The Voice” traveled to Orlando from another Florida city specifically to attack her and then fatally shot himself.
Orlando Police Chief John Mina says the suspect, identified as 27-year-old Kevin Loibl of St. Petersburg, Florida, didn’t appear to know Christina Grimmie personally. Grimmie was shot to death after giving a concert in Orlando on Friday night. She died early Saturday.
The 22-year-old singer from New Jersey finished third during season six of “The Voice” in 2014, competing on the team of Maroon 5 star Adam Levine. She began amassing a following on YouTube as a teenager, gripping online viewers with her powerful renditions of hit songs. Her videos on YouTube have garnered millions of views.
Police say Grimmie had performed with the band Before You Exit at The Plaza Live inOrlando. The concert ended around 10 p.m., and Grimmie was shot as she signed autographs for fans at a merchandise table in the concert venue.
According to police, Grimmie’s brother, Marcus, immediately tackled the gunman, who then shot and killed himself during the struggle.
